Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Hot Damn by HC Brown

Returning to Vine Mountain Winery, Australia, after an absence of six years, Michael Slone is shocked to discover his homophobic father has made an impossible condition to his will, requiring Mike marries before inheriting $27.5 million. However, Michael is in lust with Jess Durum. Will he take the money or the man?

Sexy Australian men on a winery with creative uses for lip balm, what could be better?

When Michael returns home after his father’s death, he was expecting to inherit the family winery. He didn’t expect to have a marriage condition tacked onto his father’s will. Complicating matters is Jess, the winery’s hot and sexy foreman who remembers the attraction the two shared six years ago. Both men are willing to pick up where they left off and enter into new territory but must figure out how to deal with Michael’s complicated inheritance and their new relationship.

Hot Damn is a very apt title and the sexy cover works well to describe this fun, flirty romance down under in Australia. The plot blends romance, the classic theme of forced marriage for inheritance, and some steamy sex scenes. There is some great detail about the winery and the past history between the two young men. The sex scenes also are filled with steamy sex and creative lube – cocoa butter lip balm – so the quick pace helps this novella fly by in flirty entertainment.

The story itself is somewhat basic with the familiar concept of a gay man being forced to get married but there is a modern twist to lead to a happy ending. The characters are somewhat developed but due to the short space, they are never fully three dimensional. Instead the story relies on a lot of telling about their background to explain the almost instant love that happens between them. There is also some angst and emotional drama due to a misunderstanding but easily resolved and something I wish hadn’t been included. The story actually would have been better without it. However, it wasn't enough to put me off completely, and I did still enjoy the tale.

Overall for a quick, hot story Hot Damn does fill that niche. While it may not be an especially fresh plot, it’s an easy, fun, sexy and entertaining read.

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RATING EXPLANATION:

1 Star -- At this time, we at Whipped Cream do not post these reviews. If the book was boring, badly edited, poorly written, had little or no plot, stilted dialogue, and/or unsympathetic characters, we will decline the review.

2 Stars -- Not wonderful, but tolerable. There may be some minor editing glitches but not enough to stop you reading. Not a wall-banger, but nothing you'd re-read. This is a book you would borrow from the library - not buy- and never check out again.

3 Stars -- Good. Mostly enjoyable. You made it through and didn't consider it a waste of time or money. The story was strong enough or the conflict tight enough, so even when the book faltered, it was able to draw you back in and keep you. There's a chance you'll recommend it to a friend, but it wouldn't go on your keeper shelf.

4 Stars-- Very Good. You're glad you were the one who got to review this book. You would probably buy it and would definitely recommend it to your friends. You liked the characters and the plot. The writing style was good and the editing clean.

5 Stars -- Great! You would definitely buy this book. You would definitely recommend it to your friends. You really loved the characters and the plot and would consider looking for this authors back list or making her an autobuy. The writing and editing were superb.

WC Best Book - For a book or story that is truly exceptional. You think about it when you're not reading it. You wonder what happens to the characters when you finish. You would absolutely buy everything else this author had to offer. The highest praise - and reserved for only a few.

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